Protecting Human Life on the Road

The value of human life approximates a value of $7.5 million. American society and communities place so much responsibility on the firefighters, the police officers, and the doctors of this world to protect and fight for lives deemed to be worth $7.5 million. Yet, when it comes to personal responsibility, American citizens tend to lose sight of the fact that they must uphold their duties to the community as well. Drivers’ education is one straightforward way to rationalize the risks associated with driving and prepare future drivers for the responsibilities that come with it.

Growing up, my mother would always share stories of taking cross-country road trips, laying across the back seats and never buckling. These stories would always end with “but we did not know how dangerous that was, so now we have to wear seatbelts.” Although these constant reminders from my mother kick started my drivers’ education, it does not mean other individuals share in this experience. Buckling one’s seat, as simple as it may be, is one precautionary measure that must be taken when entering a car. This pivotal aspect in drivers’ education cannot be overlooked, and in schools without drivers’ education courses, they should ensure this is being taught in daily classes. Banners and fliers are one way to expose students, future drivers, and current drivers to the necessity of wearing a seatbelt on every occasion within a moving vehicle. In primary schools, beginning drivers’ education should be included in the curriculum. Along with their beginning courses, wearing a seatbelt is an introductory topic that will impact students throughout their lives. Additionally, if they are not currently wearing a seatbelt, this critical learning period in adolescents’ lives is a perfect opportunity to teach them the importance of seatbelts and change personal habits. However, even in driver’s education classes, buckling one’s seatbelt can become overlooked by so-called “more important” aspects of driving. It is vitally important that within schools and classrooms, students understand that every time they enter a car, they must buckle their seatbelts to protect their lives which are so highly valued.

As young drivers step out onto the open roads, far too often they do not recognize the responsibility of being an intentional and focused driver. Distracted driving can range from drinking and driving to texting and driving to simply dazing off and driving. When I was in middle school, a high school student died driving home one night due to his distracted driving. This shocking realization rationalized the true impact driving can have, and the power one vehicle can hold. Drivers’ education courses should encapsulate all the possible negatives- death, damage, and destruction- alongside the freedom they are being given. For me personally, I struggle with driving at night. One tip that helps me stay awake and focused on the road is moving my eyes back and forth within the sockets. Tips like these were given to me in the driver’s education manual, something few students read. When being taught in classroom settings, the importance of avoiding distracted driving cannot be stressed enough, and when in distracting situations, they should be equipped with the strategies to remain focused on the road- or know when to call for another ride. Courses should include informing students that any risk taken on the road, by distracted driving or in general, can have innumerable costs and risk to human life.

Implementing these courses proves to be a challenge when costly equipment, spaces, and teachers are necessary to make driving classes happen. Especially for low-income families, outside-of-school courses that cost thousands of dollars simply are not a reality. All students should have a driving education, even if it is not extensive. For these students, a class within schools would be a viable solution. Another way these courses could be held is in a local community center. A room could be set aside for driving equipment and resources, and classes could be taught in that learning space. However, if there was not enough space in the building, every three or six months a class could be held outside for members of the community. Within schools, this would apply to educating the youth. In a community center, this would apply to all members of the community, not just learning drivers. At all ages, there is an issue with distracted driving, so courses in multiple locations within the community can attempt to extend drivers’ education in the largest sphere of influence possible to protect the largest number of human lives.

To produce a safe environment for all drivers, drivers’ education courses are vital to implement in schools or in other community centers. Whenever any individual enters onto the road, they should be aware of all rules and precautions that should be taken along with the risks. Hopefully, with measures taken to educate the youth, a generational cascade of informed and defensive drivers will make the road a safer place and create an environment less costly for human lives.